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* Peoria newspaper columnist Phil Luciano is bummed out that Illinois has no state rock song. Luciano is planning to meet with the governor this week to talk about this hole in our state soul…
I floated this idea by Gov. Pat Quinn’s people Monday. Turns out he’ll be in Peoria later this week. And he is to meet with me to talk about the official state rock song.
Yes, I’m serious. Call it The Rock Summit.
After running through several Illinois bands, Luciano chose “Surrender” by Rockfordians Cheap Trick…
Frantic drums intro and then support whamming guitar chords. And the melody urgently bangs away, start to finish.
You can analyze the teen-angst references that wrestle throughout: mommy, daddy, Kiss, sex, drugs. But two lines resonate: “Surrender, surrender, but don’t give yourself away” - as in (sort of, at any age), bend but don’t break; and “We’re all all right,” a delightful chant, especially in concert.
The song is as playful as it is powerful, just as much now as in 1978. It stands the test of time: I mean, do you turn this off when it comes on the radio?
It is definitely a great tune…
Surrender, surrender, but don’t give yourself away
* I’m more partial to “Misunderstood” by Illinois-based Wilco…
You look honest when you’re telling a lie
It seems more appropriate, although I could see where it might not work.
You can find a good list of Illinois bands here.
* Meanwhile…
The desecrated Grant Park looks like a rock ‘n’ roll battlefield — the fields are muddy and bare, waste is strewn about and a stench of stagnant water and stale beer lingers in the air.
With Sunday thunderstorms flooding the last day of Lollapalooza, it will be weeks — and tens of thousands of dollars — before the aftermath of the festival is repaired, officials said.
“This is probably one of the worst [aftermaths],” said Bob O’Neill, president of the Grant Park Conservancy. “The turf damage is substantial, bushes were trampled … there’s a little bit of damage to some gardens.”
Last year, the restoration process cost more than $200,000. This year, repairing Hutchinson Field alone, where the Foo Fighters played Sunday night, could cost up to $80,000, O’Neill said.
The promoter is on the hook for the damages.
North Grant Park…
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 3:05 am
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How about a state rap song? Big band? Bluegrass? Jazz? Hard rock or soft rock? Punk? Electronic? House? A Capella? Don’t get me wrong, I don’t necessarily believe this is a bad idea, but it is a silly way to waste a lot of unnecessary time. Additionally, it would only be fair to honor all of the state’s music right? So, why not songs for every genre? That’s where this gets ridiculous.
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 4:04 am
I have a suggestion for state folk song…
“A Dying Cubs Fans Last Request”
Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 7:28 am
We should keep Quinn busy investigating the official Illinois dog for all genres of music. Then move him on to flora, fauna. Follow it up with other forms of human activity. Maybe we can keep him busy enough that he no longer meddles with REAL state affairs.
Comment by Cincinnatus Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 7:58 am
*song
Comment by Cincinnatus Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 7:58 am
Dad, I know that they’re blaming the promoters for what happened at Grant Park, but I can’t see how one tiny little city could have done all that without the boys’ help somewhere along the way. And this time, I’m truly sick to death of it. Therefore, I am planning to knock them down and make them eat dirt to remind them that a lush lawn once grew here and until they cry “Funkle! Funkle…(foo)…Uncle!” and agree to fix what they broke. I don’t feel that I need your blessing to do that, but it’d be nice to have it anyway. Love, Princess.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 8:00 am
You could have REO’s “Time for me to Fly” “Riding the Storm Out”.
Then Central Illinois Head East song “One against the Other” would definately catch the current climate of the Congress and the State Legislature.
Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 8:15 am
Illinois’ State Song: AC/DC’s Listen To The Money Talk.
Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 8:34 am
Love the Wilco idea, though my vote goes to “Passenger Side”. What better metaphor for how Illinois has been operating for the last couple decades than drunk driving? Second choice would be “Casino Queen” in honor of gaming expansion.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 8:49 am
This is fun and all, but it’s nice to know there are no more social or economic injustices in Peoria for the paper to address.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 9:09 am
If we’re going Steve Goodman, I think Lincoln Park Pirates would be better.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 9:25 am
“I floated this idea by Gov. Pat Quinn’s people Monday. Turns out he’ll be in Peoria later this week. And he is to meet with me to talk about the official state rock song.”
Scary. Apparently the State isn’t in enough trouble yet, so Quinn & staff has time for this stuff? Scary. And…
“Yes, I’m serious.”
Comment by sal-says Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 9:31 am
Isn’t it time we installed field turf?
Comment by truthteller Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 9:35 am
Forward troubles Illinois, lock the front door, oh boy!
Look at all the happy creatures dancing on the lawn.
Bother me tomorrow, today, I’ll buy no sorrows.
Comment by Bigtwich Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 9:40 am
One could argue that a competent state executive could do more than one thing at a time and that small things like this are important even in the dire straights we find ourselves.
But when you factor in just who is our governor…
Comment by dupage dan Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 10:03 am
REO Speedwagon’s “Roll with the changes” would do this State some good. “If you’re tired of the same old story, baby turn some pages”
Comment by ANON Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 10:07 am
Styx - “Renegade” would be a nice tribute to any of several past governors:
The jig is up, the news is out
They finally found me
The renegade who had it made
Retrieved for a bounty
Never more to go astray
The judge will have revenge today
On the wanted man
Comment by BigDoggie Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 10:28 am
At least Lolopoloser paid taxes to help recover some of the clean up costs. Who do they think they are, Wisc teachers? I can’t beleive they left a mess like that.
Comment by Wumpus Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 10:35 am
Since PQ is headed to Peoria this week let’s (even though it is not rock) anything Dan Fogelberg.
The River City has a two day homage and celebration of what would have been his 60th birthday this weekend.
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 10:38 am
Well since Johnny Cash belongs to all Americans I nominate “Hurt”.
“What have I become, my sweetest friend”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o22eIJDtKho
Comment by Irishpirate Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 10:41 am
Rich I have to disagree here.
If we are going with a Chicago group, then lets go with Chicago! perhaps “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is” from their CTA album.
This is Illinois
Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 10:53 am
Irish Pirate, here is a slightly better video of the Johnny Cash song. It it one of the most powerful performances of all time. Thanks for the reminder.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmVAWKfJ4Go&feature=fvwrel
Comment by Skeeter Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 11:53 am
Not exactly rock - but “God’s Away on Business” by Tom Waite seems pretty appropriate.
Comment by Name WIthheld Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 12:05 pm
Manfred Mann’s “The Mighty Quinn”????????
Comment by Cincinnatus Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 12:12 pm
As much as I love Cheap Trick, I think two appropriate choices for state rock song are:
“Blue Collar Man, by Styx, which captures the spirit of working-class Chicago and Illinois as well today as it speaks to our industrial powerhouse days all the way back.
And
“Roll with the Changes” from REO. It too speaks to the ever-growing and adapting spirit of Chicago, rebuilt from ashes, and Illinois, transforming from agricultural mecca to industrial center to information age leader.
Comment by Newsclown Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 12:18 pm
“Surrender” seems pretty appropriate, and “Misunderstood” isn’t as much of a rock song as the Peter Laughner song Tweedy quotes in it.
I supposed Shellac’s “Prayer to God” didn’t get much consideration…
Comment by Boone Logan Square Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 12:22 pm
The ancient Romans didn’t have these problems when they gave the mob their bread and circuses.
Comment by Cook County Commoner Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 12:32 pm
Grant Park has had most of it’s grass and bushes either fenced or roped off to have it look nice.
At taste of Chicago this year it was hard to move around from the main areas due to this. There was very little areas to picnic. You had to walk around all the refrigerated trucks. But since the promoters/organizers of Lalapooloza are paying for it they let us trash it. It will be a while before the regular citizens will be able to walk in the Grant Park areas because of the restoration.
Can’t they move this event to, where the Steel Mills were? Dave Matthews was there earlier this summer, and that area where US Steet, Republic, Jessup etc (far east 87th-95th Street) 7th Ward, and if it’s closed down for repairs, who is going to notice? It has a nice lakefront, and city view, and plenty of room, even for parking.
Comment by 3rd Generation Chicago Native Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 1:05 pm
nomination for state song:
Ellanoy
old folk song recorded by Carl Sandburg, Win Stracke and Art Thieme.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isTUy_dgqs4
Comment by James Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 1:11 pm
Really, I can’t get excited about this, because although Illinois has produced many fine musicians, we have never had anything better than a third rate rock band. So I’ll nominate Muddy Waters’ Memory of Pain as the state blues song instead:
I lie awake most every night
I hardly sleep at all
And that’s put me in the habit
Of nicotine and alcohol
Serve me right to suffer
Serve me right to be alone
Cause I’m living with the memories
Of the days that’s past and gone
Comment by Excessively Rabid Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 2:39 pm
Seriously? You want the Governor to make Surrender the state’s rock anthem? Why — just to give a special little gift to the editorial and headline writers? Look, I’m a Rockford girl. I loved Cheap Trick — and I loved Rick Nielsen’s parents’ music store, for that matter. But no retreat, baby, no surrender…
Comment by soccermom Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 3:20 pm
Some days no rock song would be more appropriate for Illinois than Ministry’s “So What?”
And then, of course, there are the bad days.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 4:13 pm
I pick, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” by the Stones.
You can’t always get what you want,
And if you try sometime, you find,
You get what you need.
Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 4:49 pm
After some consideration, and elimination of many worthy contenders, I say just take your choice from the Willie Dixon of Chess Records songbook.
“Wang Dang Doodle”
“Hoochie Coochie Man”
“Bring it on Home”
“Little Red Rooster”
“I Can’t Quit You Baby”
“I Just Want to Make Love to You”
“Backdoor Man”
Plus the tune Led Zep ripped off:
“Whole Lotta Love”
I’ll add John Lee Hooker’s
“One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer”
which is good advice anytime.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 9:41 pm
“I want you to want me” by Cheap Trick would be a better state song. “Surrender” just sends the wrong message as a state song.
The rest of the state could have Cheap Trick theme song’s as well:
Quinn’s song could be “She’s Tight” (in this case meaning cheap).
And Madigan’s song could be “Ain’t that a Shame”.
Rahm’s song could be “Big Eyes.”
Rod’s song might be “Can’t Hold On.” The lyrics fit him perfectly.
Comment by Jack Tuesday, Aug 9, 11 @ 10:28 pm